Sunshine And Storms!

“What’s that, Dad?” asked his son, Ben.

“A rainbow,” responded his father.

“What’s a rainbow, Dad?” was his next question.

“Well, Ben, a rainbow is a promise from God that He loves us and will always care for us,” said Ben’s Dad.

What a comforting answer for us to think about when we face troubling times. The beauty and brilliance of the colors found in a rainbow are the results of “reflections and refractions” of the sun’s rays as they “light-up” the drops of rain that fall from the sky after the storm passes over us. But without the storm, there would be no rainbow.

We only see rainbows when the sun is behind us, and the rain is falling in front of us. As the rays of the sun pass through a drop of rain it is “bent” - or refracted - and separated into the different colors that light up the sky. What we see is a brilliant display of colors produced in the countless drops of rain that fall in front of the sun.

All of us have experienced many drops of rain falling on our paths and into our lives. But God’s love shines through each of them as the sun shines through the drops of rain that fall from the sky. It is the glow of His love that shines through the tears of grief, pain, hurt and suffering that fall from our eyes and brings us His comfort.

No one has lived a “tear-free life.” We have all been caught up in the “storms of life” - yet have survived. The Psalmist wrote, “They have greatly oppressed me from my youth, but have not gained the victory over me.” Storms and tears come and go, but God’s love will always protect us.

Prayer: Thank You, Father, for the assurance of Your love. May we look to You for healing when others harm us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Psalm 129:2 They have greatly oppressed me from my youth, but have not gained the victory over me.

Sunshine And Storms!

“What’s that, Dad?” asked his son, Ben.

“A rainbow,” responded his father.

“What’s a rainbow, Dad?” was his next question.

“Well, Ben, a rainbow is a promise from God that He loves us and will always care for us,” said Ben’s Dad.

What a comforting answer for us to think about when we face troubling times. The beauty and brilliance of the colors found in a rainbow are the results of “reflections and refractions” of the sun’s rays as they “light-up” the drops of rain that fall from the sky after the storm passes over us. But without the storm, there would be no rainbow.

We only see rainbows when the sun is behind us, and the rain is falling in front of us. As the rays of the sun pass through a drop of rain it is “bent” - or refracted - and separated into the different colors that light up the sky. What we see is a brilliant display of colors produced in the countless drops of rain that fall in front of the sun.

All of us have experienced many drops of rain falling on our paths and into our lives. But God’s love shines through each of them as the sun shines through the drops of rain that fall from the sky. It is the glow of His love that shines through the tears of grief, pain, hurt and suffering that fall from our eyes and brings us His comfort.

No one has lived a “tear-free life.” We have all been caught up in the “storms of life” - yet have survived. The Psalmist wrote, “They have greatly oppressed me from my youth, but have not gained the victory over me.” Storms and tears come and go, but God’s love will always protect us.

Prayer: Thank You, Father, for the assurance of Your love. May we look to You for healing when others harm us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Psalm 129:2 They have greatly oppressed me from my youth, but have not gained the victory over me.

Free For Now

Two long-time friends were quail hunting - one was a Christian, the other a non-believer. “Why,” said the nonbeliever, “is it that the devil always seems to find and tempt you to do the wrong thing, and he never bothers me?”

“Oh, you don’t understand it,” replied his friend. “You see, the devil has you and now he spends his time trying to get me back. It’s like hunting for quail. We’re not after the dead ones. We want those that are still alive. You see, you’re dead, and the devil doesn’t have to worry about you. But he wants me back!”

All Christians face the dangers of temptation that come from the devil. Even Jesus was constantly being tempted and tested. And we must always remember that being tempted is not a sin. Sin “happens” when we yield to the temptation.

We must also remember that when we are tempted, it is by the devil. The Lord does not tempt anyone, and it is through His power that we can resist any temptation that comes our way. It is the devil who is the source of the temptation.

That’s his business, and he is very successful at what he does. It is a good thing to remember that mice do not like traps but are caught when the power of the bait overcomes them. He knows the “bait” that is most likely to tempt and trap us to sin and will use any friend or foe, picture or place to his advantage.

David put it this way: “Praise be to the Lord...we have escaped like a bird from the fowler’s snare...Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”

We are always going to be tempted. We have years of experience to prove that fact. We also have the power of God’s Word to protect us. As Paul said, “There is no temptation that you cannot bear. But, when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” Escape is always possible.

Prayer: Thank You, Father, for Your strength and power that enables us to escape the temptation to sin. Help us to rely on You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Psalm 124:6-8 Praise be to the Lord, who has not let us be torn by their teeth. We have escaped like a bird from the fowler’s snare; the snare has been broken, and we have escaped. Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

Free For Now

Two long-time friends were quail hunting - one was a Christian, the other a non-believer. “Why,” said the nonbeliever, “is it that the devil always seems to find and tempt you to do the wrong thing, and he never bothers me?”

“Oh, you don’t understand it,” replied his friend. “You see, the devil has you and now he spends his time trying to get me back. It’s like hunting for quail. We’re not after the dead ones. We want those that are still alive. You see, you’re dead, and the devil doesn’t have to worry about you. But he wants me back!”

All Christians face the dangers of temptation that come from the devil. Even Jesus was constantly being tempted and tested. And we must always remember that being tempted is not a sin. Sin “happens” when we yield to the temptation.

We must also remember that when we are tempted, it is by the devil. The Lord does not tempt anyone, and it is through His power that we can resist any temptation that comes our way. It is the devil who is the source of the temptation.

That’s his business, and he is very successful at what he does. It is a good thing to remember that mice do not like traps but are caught when the power of the bait overcomes them. He knows the “bait” that is most likely to tempt and trap us to sin and will use any friend or foe, picture or place to his advantage.

David put it this way: “Praise be to the Lord...we have escaped like a bird from the fowler’s snare...Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”

We are always going to be tempted. We have years of experience to prove that fact. We also have the power of God’s Word to protect us. As Paul said, “There is no temptation that you cannot bear. But, when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” Escape is always possible.

Prayer: Thank You, Father, for Your strength and power that enables us to escape the temptation to sin. Help us to rely on You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Psalm 124:6-8 Praise be to the Lord, who has not let us be torn by their teeth. We have escaped like a bird from the fowler’s snare; the snare has been broken, and we have escaped. Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

Have Mercy!

When we are offended by another person, we have four options: we can pout, pity ourselves, take it out on someone else, or pray.

When we pout, we pollute ourselves with the poison of displeasure. It’s like pouring a teaspoonful of black dye into a glass of pure water and watching the darkness take over. It ruins the beauty that light brings to life. Pouting brings distress into our lives - not deliverance.

When we pity ourselves, we are simply poisoning ourselves. Self-pity distorts our thinking, disrupts our work, disturbs our body and even disfigures our face with wrinkles. It depresses our friends, demoralizes our life and above all, dishonors our Lord.

When we take our hurt out on others, it not only pains them, but will come right back to pain us as well - and eventually punish us. Revenge is like a boomerang: Although it flies into the path of the other person, it will eventually come back to attack us in the process. It can hit the one who threw it with the heaviest blow.

When we pray we protect ourselves and place the responsibility for “settling the score” up to God. We are God’s children and what offends us offends Him; what hurts us will hurt Him, and what affects us has already affected Him. He understands our pain and our sorrow.

The Psalmist expresses this in a beautiful way: “I cried unto the Lord, and He heard me.” God will always take care of us, remove the sadness from our hearts, and bring His healing. When we pray, He makes things right!

Prayer: Father, when we have been injured by the ways and words of others, may we look to You for Your healing. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Psalm 120:1 I cried unto the Lord, and He heard me.

Have Mercy!

When we are offended by another person, we have four options: we can pout, pity ourselves, take it out on someone else, or pray.

When we pout, we pollute ourselves with the poison of displeasure. It’s like pouring a teaspoonful of black dye into a glass of pure water and watching the darkness take over. It ruins the beauty that light brings to life. Pouting brings distress into our lives - not deliverance.

When we pity ourselves, we are simply poisoning ourselves. Self-pity distorts our thinking, disrupts our work, disturbs our body and even disfigures our face with wrinkles. It depresses our friends, demoralizes our life and above all, dishonors our Lord.

When we take our hurt out on others, it not only pains them, but will come right back to pain us as well - and eventually punish us. Revenge is like a boomerang: Although it flies into the path of the other person, it will eventually come back to attack us in the process. It can hit the one who threw it with the heaviest blow.

When we pray we protect ourselves and place the responsibility for “settling the score” up to God. We are God’s children and what offends us offends Him; what hurts us will hurt Him, and what affects us has already affected Him. He understands our pain and our sorrow.

The Psalmist expresses this in a beautiful way: “I cried unto the Lord, and He heard me.” God will always take care of us, remove the sadness from our hearts, and bring His healing. When we pray, He makes things right!

Prayer: Father, when we have been injured by the ways and words of others, may we look to You for Your healing. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Psalm 120:1 I cried unto the Lord, and He heard me.

The Book!

Sir Walter Scott was a prominent novelist and poet whose writings were well known, respected and read throughout the world. As he approached death, he called for his son-in-law and said, “Bring me the Book!”

Knowing that he had a massive library, he was thoroughly puzzled by the request and had no idea what the title of “the Book” might be. Realizing that there were more than 20,000 volumes in Scott’s library, he asked, “What book?”

“Need you to ask?” replied the literary genius. “There is only one Book, the Bible!” Sir Walter Scott, author of many books and owner of thousands of books, spoke wisely because he knew personally the Author of the Book of books and the message it contained.

In this psalm the writer declares convincingly that “The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul.” Perfect because it contains God’s message of love, forgiveness, and redemption and in it we find everything that is necessary for our salvation.

The author also wants us to know that it can be trusted - that its contents are reliable and dependable. So, he adds that “the decrees - or teachings - of the Lord can be trusted...to revive the soul.” Only God’s Word can bring joy to our hearts, give accurate guidance for our journey through life, provide light for our path, give wisdom for our decisions, and eternal life through Christ.

Prayer: Gracious Lord, we stand in awe before You, rejoicing in Your Word and the hope we have in You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Psalm 19:7 The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord can be trusted making wise the simple. 

The Book!

Sir Walter Scott was a prominent novelist and poet whose writings were well known, respected and read throughout the world. As he approached death, he called for his son-in-law and said, “Bring me the Book!”

Knowing that he had a massive library, he was thoroughly puzzled by the request and had no idea what the title of “the Book” might be. Realizing that there were more than 20,000 volumes in Scott’s library, he asked, “What book?”

“Need you to ask?” replied the literary genius. “There is only one Book, the Bible!” Sir Walter Scott, author of many books and owner of thousands of books, spoke wisely because he knew personally the Author of the Book of books and the message it contained.

In this psalm the writer declares convincingly that “The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul.” Perfect because it contains God’s message of love, forgiveness, and redemption and in it we find everything that is necessary for our salvation.

The author also wants us to know that it can be trusted - that its contents are reliable and dependable. So, he adds that “the decrees - or teachings - of the Lord can be trusted...to revive the soul.” Only God’s Word can bring joy to our hearts, give accurate guidance for our journey through life, provide light for our path, give wisdom for our decisions, and eternal life through Christ.

Prayer: Gracious Lord, we stand in awe before You, rejoicing in Your Word and the hope we have in You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Psalm 19:7 The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord can be trusted making wise the simple. 

Promises! Promises!

He spent many years living alone not having the necessities of life. One day in his despair he looked at the top shelf of an old bookcase cluttered with pictures and the mementos of his life. As his eyes passed from item to item, he noticed his mother’s Bible that he had not touched since her death.

Slowly, he opened the well-worn Book and very carefully began to leaf through its pages. As he made his way through Genesis, he found $1,000.00. He did the same with Exodus and found another $1,000.00. His excitement grew as he went from book to book and found $1,000.00 in each one of them.

Imagine having $66,000 within arm’s reach and not even knowing it was there, waiting to be discovered. We may fault the old man for living in poverty when it was unnecessary, and riches were available. We might say, “How sad! Why didn’t he look sooner?”

But, sadder than the fact that the money was in his mother's Bible waiting for him to discover it is the fact that there are 3,573 promises in the Bible waiting for us to discover and claim. Our good and gracious God placed them there for each of us. Yet, most of us do not know where to find them, and they go unclaimed.

The Psalmist said, “My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promises preserve my life.” Each promise is a benefit God has placed in His Word waiting for us to claim. Jesus addressed this same issue when He said, “For everyone who asks receives.” Don’t go without!

Prayer: The best things in life, Father, are ours for the asking. Increase our faith to meet our needs. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Psalm 119:50 My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promises preserve my life.

Promises! Promises!

He spent many years living alone not having the necessities of life. One day in his despair he looked at the top shelf of an old bookcase cluttered with pictures and the mementos of his life. As his eyes passed from item to item, he noticed his mother’s Bible that he had not touched since her death.

Slowly, he opened the well-worn Book and very carefully began to leaf through its pages. As he made his way through Genesis, he found $1,000.00. He did the same with Exodus and found another $1,000.00. His excitement grew as he went from book to book and found $1,000.00 in each one of them.

Imagine having $66,000 within arm’s reach and not even knowing it was there, waiting to be discovered. We may fault the old man for living in poverty when it was unnecessary, and riches were available. We might say, “How sad! Why didn’t he look sooner?”

But, sadder than the fact that the money was in his mother's Bible waiting for him to discover it is the fact that there are 3,573 promises in the Bible waiting for us to discover and claim. Our good and gracious God placed them there for each of us. Yet, most of us do not know where to find them, and they go unclaimed.

The Psalmist said, “My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promises preserve my life.” Each promise is a benefit God has placed in His Word waiting for us to claim. Jesus addressed this same issue when He said, “For everyone who asks receives.” Don’t go without!

Prayer: The best things in life, Father, are ours for the asking. Increase our faith to meet our needs. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Psalm 119:50 My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promises preserve my life.

Praise The Lord

The Psalms begin with the requirements that we must have as our goals as Christians. It ends with our responsibility to praise Him for Who He is: a God Who is above us yet with us and concerned for us; a God Whose acts of power protect us and provide for us, and surpass all others because of His greatness. What a glorious God!

The Hebrew word for “praise” in this Psalm contains a significantly different meaning than the other words used for “praise.” It is yadah and means that we are “to confess publicly” God’s greatness. This is not something we often do. But it is something we must do. So, please ask yourself, and then answer the two questions below:

First: What God has done for me today?
1.
2.
3.

Second: What is God doing for me right now?
1.
2.
3.

Now comes the hard part: Find someone to share your responses with. Let them know how important your God is to you, the difference He makes in your life and how He can help them.

This Psalm talks of using noisy instruments to get the attention of others. However, the way we live should speak so loudly we won’t need noise-makers. Perhaps a final question is: How do others see God in my life?

Prayer: I pray, Father, that my life will be what You want it to be and that others will see You in the way I live. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Psalm 150:6 Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.

Praise The Lord

The Psalms begin with the requirements that we must have as our goals as Christians. It ends with our responsibility to praise Him for Who He is: a God Who is above us yet with us and concerned for us; a God Whose acts of power protect us and provide for us, and surpass all others because of His greatness. What a glorious God!

The Hebrew word for “praise” in this Psalm contains a significantly different meaning than the other words used for “praise.” It is yadah and means that we are “to confess publicly” God’s greatness. This is not something we often do. But it is something we must do. So, please ask yourself, and then answer the two questions below:

First: What God has done for me today?
1.
2.
3.

Second: What is God doing for me right now?
1.
2.
3.

Now comes the hard part: Find someone to share your responses with. Let them know how important your God is to you, the difference He makes in your life and how He can help them.

This Psalm talks of using noisy instruments to get the attention of others. However, the way we live should speak so loudly we won’t need noise-makers. Perhaps a final question is: How do others see God in my life?

Prayer: I pray, Father, that my life will be what You want it to be and that others will see You in the way I live. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Psalm 150:6 Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.

Real Power - Real Protection

War includes offense and defense, strategies and tactics, weapons and warriors. But, in the final analysis, warriors and their weapons make the difference. Warriors who are fit for battle and weapons that match or exceed those of the enemy will always win.

David was a warrior who had been in many battles. He knew what it took to be victorious or how easy it was to go down in defeat. And he summarized his “battle plan” in Psalm 28:7: “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped.”

God is our resource for whatever strength we may ever need. Isaiah said, “He gives strength to the weary...those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.” His strength never diminishes nor will His power ever be less than it was when He created the universe. He will never be too tired to reach out to us nor is His ear ever closed to our voice when we call upon Him to renew us. We can put all of our trust in Him because He was, is and always will be faithful to keep His promises and fulfill our every need.

In Genesis 15:1 we read that God spoke to Abram and said, “Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield, your very great reward.” Abram had rescued Lot from the kings of the east and was afraid of some type of reprisal. But God put his heart at ease and assured him of His reward and protection. It was not God nor was it Abram. It was God working through Abram and assuring him that He was his shield, that He would honor him, and go before him and lead him from one victory to another.

Prayer: Father, we are blest to know that every battle is Yours and that YOU alone are our strength and shield. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Psalm 28:7a The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. 

Real Power - Real Protection

War includes offense and defense, strategies and tactics, weapons and warriors. But, in the final analysis, warriors and their weapons make the difference. Warriors who are fit for battle and weapons that match or exceed those of the enemy will always win.

David was a warrior who had been in many battles. He knew what it took to be victorious or how easy it was to go down in defeat. And he summarized his “battle plan” in Psalm 28:7: “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped.”

God is our resource for whatever strength we may ever need. Isaiah said, “He gives strength to the weary...those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.” His strength never diminishes nor will His power ever be less than it was when He created the universe. He will never be too tired to reach out to us nor is His ear ever closed to our voice when we call upon Him to renew us. We can put all of our trust in Him because He was, is and always will be faithful to keep His promises and fulfill our every need.

In Genesis 15:1 we read that God spoke to Abram and said, “Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield, your very great reward.” Abram had rescued Lot from the kings of the east and was afraid of some type of reprisal. But God put his heart at ease and assured him of His reward and protection. It was not God nor was it Abram. It was God working through Abram and assuring him that He was his shield, that He would honor him, and go before him and lead him from one victory to another.

Prayer: Father, we are blest to know that every battle is Yours and that YOU alone are our strength and shield. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Psalm 28:7a The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. 

Jumping Hurdles

Normally, when Ben came home from work, his teenage daughter would run up to him and hug him and kiss him. One afternoon, however, he came home, and she was not there to greet him.

Frightened, he called her name. Unfortunately, she did not respond. He went to the phone to call the police and noticed that a note was taped to the desk beneath it. Hurriedly, he read the note: “Dad, I went back to the school to practice jumping hurdles. Love ya! Karen.”

Everyone has their share of hurdles. Some are taller than others, and there may be a longer distance between them. But they are there — every day and everywhere. We have problems to solve, temptations to overcome, burdens to bear - for ourselves and others - and battles to fight. We can face and fight them or flee from them. However, they will never go away unless and until we work with the Lord to overcome them.

Faith and trust in God can turn our obstacles into opportunities, sadness into smiles, and tragedies into triumphs - depending on what and how we choose to deal with them.

David faced many of the same situations that we do. Yet, we find no record that he spent time on self-pity or self-resignation. He prayed and believed that God could and would take care of every one of them. And He did!

Hear his praise report: “Praise be to the Lord, for He has heard my cry for mercy!”

Because hurdles come from God, we can get over them with God.

Prayer: Help us, Father, to fill our lives with faith to overcome each hurdle we face and give You all the praise. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Psalm 28:6 Praise be to the Lord, for He has heard my cry for mercy. 

Jumping Hurdles

Normally, when Ben came home from work, his teenage daughter would run up to him and hug him and kiss him. One afternoon, however, he came home, and she was not there to greet him.

Frightened, he called her name. Unfortunately, she did not respond. He went to the phone to call the police and noticed that a note was taped to the desk beneath it. Hurriedly, he read the note: “Dad, I went back to the school to practice jumping hurdles. Love ya! Karen.”

Everyone has their share of hurdles. Some are taller than others, and there may be a longer distance between them. But they are there — every day and everywhere. We have problems to solve, temptations to overcome, burdens to bear - for ourselves and others - and battles to fight. We can face and fight them or flee from them. However, they will never go away unless and until we work with the Lord to overcome them.

Faith and trust in God can turn our obstacles into opportunities, sadness into smiles, and tragedies into triumphs - depending on what and how we choose to deal with them.

David faced many of the same situations that we do. Yet, we find no record that he spent time on self-pity or self-resignation. He prayed and believed that God could and would take care of every one of them. And He did!

Hear his praise report: “Praise be to the Lord, for He has heard my cry for mercy!”

Because hurdles come from God, we can get over them with God.

Prayer: Help us, Father, to fill our lives with faith to overcome each hurdle we face and give You all the praise. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Psalm 28:6 Praise be to the Lord, for He has heard my cry for mercy. 

Faith And Fear

Fear often leads to defeat and disaster. It is a friend of inertia and instability. It supports dependency and will keep the most competent individual from taking the first step to achieve a lifelong goal. Fear is real, and many will allow it to stifle and suffocate their dreams.

What, then, is there to replace fear? Is it education? Could it be moving from one address to another? Might it be new friends? Can a different job or title replace a lack of self-confidence? Do our self-imposed limits cause our inner-being to retreat? Is there a defense for fear?

A king was being pursued by his enemies. He was weak, but they were strong. He stood by himself, and their numbers were staggering. But, he had something, one thing that they did not have: Faith. It was the part of the equation that made the difference.

Listen to him describe his situation: “Though an army besieges me, my heart will not fear; though war breaks out against me, even then will I be confident.” Faith calls upon Him who is invisible to accomplish things that are visible for us, through us and with us. Faith will turn horrible situations into outstanding conditions.

Confronted by overwhelming odds, David prayed, “Do not turn me over to my enemies.” He knew that his life was in God’s hands and that God could do with him as He pleased. But, he did not lose faith in God. His trust was absolute. And in his darkest moment, his confidence shone brilliantly: “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart.” Anyone who trusts in Him, will always win.

Prayer: Lord, as we wait for Your strength, guard us; do not let fear control us or the size of the enemy defeat us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Psalm 27:3 Though an army besieges me, my heart will not fear; though war breaks out against me, even then will I be confident. 

Faith And Fear

Fear often leads to defeat and disaster. It is a friend of inertia and instability. It supports dependency and will keep the most competent individual from taking the first step to achieve a lifelong goal. Fear is real, and many will allow it to stifle and suffocate their dreams.

What, then, is there to replace fear? Is it education? Could it be moving from one address to another? Might it be new friends? Can a different job or title replace a lack of self-confidence? Do our self-imposed limits cause our inner-being to retreat? Is there a defense for fear?

A king was being pursued by his enemies. He was weak, but they were strong. He stood by himself, and their numbers were staggering. But, he had something, one thing that they did not have: Faith. It was the part of the equation that made the difference.

Listen to him describe his situation: “Though an army besieges me, my heart will not fear; though war breaks out against me, even then will I be confident.” Faith calls upon Him who is invisible to accomplish things that are visible for us, through us and with us. Faith will turn horrible situations into outstanding conditions.

Confronted by overwhelming odds, David prayed, “Do not turn me over to my enemies.” He knew that his life was in God’s hands and that God could do with him as He pleased. But, he did not lose faith in God. His trust was absolute. And in his darkest moment, his confidence shone brilliantly: “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart.” Anyone who trusts in Him, will always win.

Prayer: Lord, as we wait for Your strength, guard us; do not let fear control us or the size of the enemy defeat us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Psalm 27:3 Though an army besieges me, my heart will not fear; though war breaks out against me, even then will I be confident. 

Why God Forgives

One of the most agonizing questions all children ask comes in one word: Why?

That endless, searching, penetrating, obnoxious, and even threatening question sometimes causes controversy, other times resentment, and even - would you believe it - anger.

Most of us do not enjoy having to give a reason for what we do or say. It disturbs our peace of mind and forces us to clarify our words or deeds. Many times it is a good question for the same reasons it is a disturbing question: we have to examine and explain things we had done in the past simply without thinking about or even taking time to evaluate them.

Although David did not ask the “why” question, he did answer it without thinking about it. “Why” would God forgive him? His love. And then he answered another “why” question without asking “why” - because our God is a “good” God.

“Why would You forgive me God?” As I understand it, God, it is according to, or consistent with the fact that You love me. “Thank You for Your love God.”

“But then, God, why would You love me when the sin I committed is horrible even in my own eyes?” And God answered, “Because I am good, David.”

“Love” and “good” are two simple facts about the very character of God. But, they also go together. If God is love, He also has to be good. Otherwise, His love could be selective. But because He is good, His love is for all of us.

Prayer: Thank You, Father, for a love that does not depend on anything except the fact that You are good. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Psalm 25:7b According to Your love, remember me for You are good, O Lord. 

Why God Forgives

One of the most agonizing questions all children ask comes in one word: Why?

That endless, searching, penetrating, obnoxious, and even threatening question sometimes causes controversy, other times resentment, and even - would you believe it - anger.

Most of us do not enjoy having to give a reason for what we do or say. It disturbs our peace of mind and forces us to clarify our words or deeds. Many times it is a good question for the same reasons it is a disturbing question: we have to examine and explain things we had done in the past simply without thinking about or even taking time to evaluate them.

Although David did not ask the “why” question, he did answer it without thinking about it. “Why” would God forgive him? His love. And then he answered another “why” question without asking “why” - because our God is a “good” God.

“Why would You forgive me God?” As I understand it, God, it is according to, or consistent with the fact that You love me. “Thank You for Your love God.”

“But then, God, why would You love me when the sin I committed is horrible even in my own eyes?” And God answered, “Because I am good, David.”

“Love” and “good” are two simple facts about the very character of God. But, they also go together. If God is love, He also has to be good. Otherwise, His love could be selective. But because He is good, His love is for all of us.

Prayer: Thank You, Father, for a love that does not depend on anything except the fact that You are good. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Psalm 25:7b According to Your love, remember me for You are good, O Lord. 

Moving On

There is a story of a patient in a mental institution who sits alone and looks longingly out the window. Every now and then he wistfully moans, “If only I had...” And his voice trails off as his mind recalls a past event.

At one time he was a brakeman on a freight train. On a bitterly cold night, he decided not to light his lantern and leave the warmth of his caboose to warn an oncoming train that his train had stopped to reload its coal car. He had been at this particular place before and could not remember if there were any trains that needed a warning.

Unfortunately, an oncoming train did not see his caboose and crashed into it leaving three of his friends dead. He escaped with severe bodily injuries that healed, but, mentally he could not escape the scene. Whenever his mind recalled the event, he would say, “If only I had...”

Many of us have memories that have left scars we wish we could erase. David had one. He traded a peaceful mind for a moment of pleasure that left him overwhelmed with grief. Finally, he cried out, “Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways. According to Your love, remember me for You are good, O Lord.”

Was that prayer answered? Indeed. “When we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us.” And He also promises, “Their sins and iniquities I will remember no more.”

There is no sin beyond God’s forgiveness! And, no forgiveness without asking!

Prayer: Lord, we accept Your forgiveness and cleansing. But may we never forget that they cost You Your life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Psalm 25:7 Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways. According to Your love, remember me for You are good, O Lord. 

Moving On

There is a story of a patient in a mental institution who sits alone and looks longingly out the window. Every now and then he wistfully moans, “If only I had...” And his voice trails off as his mind recalls a past event.

At one time he was a brakeman on a freight train. On a bitterly cold night, he decided not to light his lantern and leave the warmth of his caboose to warn an oncoming train that his train had stopped to reload its coal car. He had been at this particular place before and could not remember if there were any trains that needed a warning.

Unfortunately, an oncoming train did not see his caboose and crashed into it leaving three of his friends dead. He escaped with severe bodily injuries that healed, but, mentally he could not escape the scene. Whenever his mind recalled the event, he would say, “If only I had...”

Many of us have memories that have left scars we wish we could erase. David had one. He traded a peaceful mind for a moment of pleasure that left him overwhelmed with grief. Finally, he cried out, “Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways. According to Your love, remember me for You are good, O Lord.”

Was that prayer answered? Indeed. “When we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us.” And He also promises, “Their sins and iniquities I will remember no more.”

There is no sin beyond God’s forgiveness! And, no forgiveness without asking!

Prayer: Lord, we accept Your forgiveness and cleansing. But may we never forget that they cost You Your life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Psalm 25:7 Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways. According to Your love, remember me for You are good, O Lord. 

His Ways Are The Right Ways

Whenever we have a box delivered to our home that says, “Instructions Inside,” I immediately take it to my wife. It doesn’t matter if it is large or small or somewhere in between, I know exactly what to do with it. If it needs to be “put together,” or is “in pieces,” it’s beyond the skills and talents that God gave me. It’s another example of God’s grace: He graciously brought her to me to make up for many of my deficiencies.

That’s the way God is. Whatever we lack, whatever we need, whatever is beyond us is always available to us through His grace and guidance. With God’s Spirit within us and the fact that His Word is sufficient for us, we must then submit to Him, follow Him and depend on Him. We cannot do what He has for us to do without Him!

God knows our strength and limitations, our skills and talents. He is anxious for us to grow into the likeness of His Son, Jesus Christ. So, it is important for us to look to Him, depend on Him and follow Him because life is too difficult without Him. We often mislead ourselves if we do not recognize “where we are and where God wants us to be.” That’s why David reminded us that we need God to “show us His ways.” Like it or not, we must admit that it is too easy to confuse our ways with His ways and not accomplish His purpose for our lives or know how we can serve others.

God can only guide whom He governs. When we allow Him “to show us and teach us,” He can then lead us in the path He has laid out for us.

Prayer: Father, Your ways are perfect ways. May we willingly accept them as we submit to Your leadership. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Psalm 25:7 Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways. According to Your love, remember me for You are good, O Lord. 

His Ways Are The Right Ways

Whenever we have a box delivered to our home that says, “Instructions Inside,” I immediately take it to my wife. It doesn’t matter if it is large or small or somewhere in between, I know exactly what to do with it. If it needs to be “put together,” or is “in pieces,” it’s beyond the skills and talents that God gave me. It’s another example of God’s grace: He graciously brought her to me to make up for many of my deficiencies.

That’s the way God is. Whatever we lack, whatever we need, whatever is beyond us is always available to us through His grace and guidance. With God’s Spirit within us and the fact that His Word is sufficient for us, we must then submit to Him, follow Him and depend on Him. We cannot do what He has for us to do without Him!

God knows our strength and limitations, our skills and talents. He is anxious for us to grow into the likeness of His Son, Jesus Christ. So, it is important for us to look to Him, depend on Him and follow Him because life is too difficult without Him. We often mislead ourselves if we do not recognize “where we are and where God wants us to be.” That’s why David reminded us that we need God to “show us His ways.” Like it or not, we must admit that it is too easy to confuse our ways with His ways and not accomplish His purpose for our lives or know how we can serve others.

God can only guide whom He governs. When we allow Him “to show us and teach us,” He can then lead us in the path He has laid out for us.

Prayer: Father, Your ways are perfect ways. May we willingly accept them as we submit to Your leadership. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Psalm 25:7 Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways. According to Your love, remember me for You are good, O Lord. 

What's Worthy Of Our Trust?

A small child needed a minor operation but was allergic to anesthetics. The surgeon knew the procedure would be painful, but not unbearable. So, he took a shiny silver dollar from his pocket and said, “This is for you. I’m going to hurt you a little bit. I want you to take a good look at it and hold it really tight in your right hand. Be sure to remember what you saw while I’m at work, because I’m going to ask you what it was when I’m finished. If you do, it won’t hurt you as much.”

When he finished, he gently rubbed her forehead and said, “You are a brave little girl. What did you think about?”

Quickly she replied, “The words, ‘In God we trust.’” In Psalm 25:2, David wrote, “In You, I trust, O my God.” Why would a king need to trust God?

First, for pardon. Later in the Psalm he wrote, “Forgive my iniquity, for it is great.” Our relationship with God begins when we ask Him to cleanse us from sin and all unrighteousness so we may enter into His presence. David knew the importance of being rightly related to God.

Second, for peace. “Free me from my anguish,” he prayed. Fear is the natural reaction when we are filled with anxiety. Only God can fill our hearts and calm our souls.

Finally, for protection. “Guard my life and rescue me,” he plead. As a warrior, he knew the threats and dangers of war. He knew that only One could keep him safe in dangerous situations. So, he trusted in that One alone.

Prayer: Lord, we have all that we need in You. May we lift our hearts in prayer and praise You for Your presence. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Psalm 25:2a In You, I trust, O my God. 

What's Worthy Of Our Trust?

A small child needed a minor operation but was allergic to anesthetics. The surgeon knew the procedure would be painful, but not unbearable. So, he took a shiny silver dollar from his pocket and said, “This is for you. I’m going to hurt you a little bit. I want you to take a good look at it and hold it really tight in your right hand. Be sure to remember what you saw while I’m at work, because I’m going to ask you what it was when I’m finished. If you do, it won’t hurt you as much.”

When he finished, he gently rubbed her forehead and said, “You are a brave little girl. What did you think about?”

Quickly she replied, “The words, ‘In God we trust.’” In Psalm 25:2, David wrote, “In You, I trust, O my God.” Why would a king need to trust God?

First, for pardon. Later in the Psalm he wrote, “Forgive my iniquity, for it is great.” Our relationship with God begins when we ask Him to cleanse us from sin and all unrighteousness so we may enter into His presence. David knew the importance of being rightly related to God.

Second, for peace. “Free me from my anguish,” he prayed. Fear is the natural reaction when we are filled with anxiety. Only God can fill our hearts and calm our souls.

Finally, for protection. “Guard my life and rescue me,” he plead. As a warrior, he knew the threats and dangers of war. He knew that only One could keep him safe in dangerous situations. So, he trusted in that One alone.

Prayer: Lord, we have all that we need in You. May we lift our hearts in prayer and praise You for Your presence. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Psalm 25:2a In You, I trust, O my God. 

Clean - It Means What It Means

“Son,” said Fred’s mother, “dinner is ready, and you haven’t washed your hands. They are dirty!”

“They’re not dirty,” he protested, “just a little bit soiled.”

According to Psalm 24, there’s no difference between dirty and soiled. Only those who have clean hands and a pure heart are invited to worship God. So, what does the Psalmist mean when he talks about “clean hands?”

“Clean hands” literally means “clean habits.” Habits are formed over time and are rarely noticed until they draw attention to themselves in one way or another. A habit may be good or bad, depending on its outcome. If it leads to a self-nourishing behavior or something that leads to wellness or well-being, it is a good habit. But if it is a toxic behavior and leads to self-destruction or death, it is certainly a bad habit.

“Clean habits” would, of course, begin with a “clean heart.” The Bible is unapologetic when it reminds us “what comes out of us has a home within us.” In other words, God in - God out. If God is not dwelling within us, His “ways” certainly cannot come out of us.

We also need “clean hopes,” because we do not worship the “idols” of this world. If God is not in first place, He may as well be considered as being in last place. Why? Whatever is in first place is what we are indeed worshiping.

And we also need a “clean history” - not making any promises we do not intend to keep. If we say it, we must do it or make restitution – make-up - what it costs the other.

Prayer: Lord, we’re careful not to touch unclean things or allow them to touch us. May we be that way toward sin. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Psalm 24:4a The one who has clean hands and a pure heart.